ACiiTC Submission to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality & Safety
On 8 October 2018, The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia established The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
The Royal Commission into Aged Care has been established to look at how older people are cared for and work out what needs to change to make aged care service better. The Commission is asking how can we make sure that aged care homes and services provide good and safe care; what can be done so there are enough good quality aged care homes and services in the community for all the people who need them; are there enough good quality services in remote, rural and regional Australia; What are the best ways to help and care from people living with dementia and what are the best ways to help and care for younger people with disabilities who are living in aged care homes.
Since this announcement, the Aged Care Industry Information Technology Council (ACiiTC) have held a series of consultations with the CIO Forum Committee and National Home Care Committee to form a submission focusing on the role innovation and technology can play in improving the quality and safety of Aged Care in Australia.
The ACiiTC submission is informed by the Technology Roadmap for Aged Care in Australia and its underpinning research and consultation base. The submission is structured around several key issues affecting the quality of aged care, and the under-utilised contribution to be made by technology in addressing them. In turn, these have been grouped into two themes (1) technology-enhanced quality of care provision (2) technology infrastructure underpinning care provision and business operations.
The ACiiTC vision is for technology and innovation to be embedded features of aged care operations and services, rather than an after-thought. Aged care organisations need to provide leadership on fit-for-purpose technology and innovation that supports quality care, greater consumer participation and direction of their care and support, safety and more effective and efficient service delivery.
The Aged Care Industry Information Technology Council was established in 2007 with two key roles (1) raise technology issues with policy and decision-makers and (2) improve technology uptake and innovation in the sector. We have submitted our submission to the Royal Commission into Aged Care.
ACiiTC is keen to work with the government to actively develop a strategic roadmap for funding and investment in Information Communication Technology and Care Technologies in Aged Care.
Independent Chair, Dr George Margelis says “The Aged Care Industry Information Technology Council strongly believes that closer collaboration between government and providers, through ACiiTC, to develop and implement a Strategic Roadmap for Innovation and enhanced uptake or Technology is essential”.
The Royal Commission will be accepting submissions until the end of September 2019 for the Commissioners to provide an interim report by 31 October 2019 and a final report by 30 April 2020
For any enquiries please contact ACiiTC Secretariat via email to secretariat@aciitc.com.au
For more information the Aged Care Industry Information Technology Council or to read Technology Roadmap for Aged Care visit www.aciitc.com.au and get in contact via email secretariat@aciitc.com.au